Brush making machine



Nov. 30, 1965 M. LOGAN 3,220,774

BRUSH MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOQ MALCOLM LOGAN (ditty.

Nov. 30, 1965 M. LOGAN BRUSH MAKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 19, 1964 INVENTOFZ 58 MALCOLM LOGAN Nov. 30, 1965 M. LOGAN BRUSH MAKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 19, 1964 INVENTOQ MALCOLM LOGAN Jamae w. ditty.

Nov. 30, 1965 LOGAN 3,220,774

BRUSH MAKING MACHINE Filed NOV. 19, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR MALCOLM LOGAN Nov. 30, 1965 M. LOGAN BRUSH MAKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 19, 1964 INVENTOR MALCOLM LOGAN Jamaz i0.

predetermined lengths.

United States Patent 3,226,774 BRUSH MAKING MACHINE Malcolm Logan, Paiatine, IIL, assiguor to Hull-Gay Mfg. Co., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 19, 19%, Ser. No. 412,392 16 Claims. (Cl. 300-2) This invention relates to improvements in a completely automatic machine for making brushes and is more particularly concerned with a machine for making brushes of the type having tufts of bristles fed between two continuously fed wires which are twisted while being fed to secure the bristles in position between them and are then cut to predetermined lengths.

Known machines of this general character are adapted to draw parallel Wires through the machine for a predetermined distance while feeding bristles between the wires and subsequently, after the pulling has been brought to a halt, to twist the wires to intertwine the bristles therein. Such procedure results in low output owing primarily to the need to halt the feed of the wires during the twisting operation.

The machine of the present invention operates to continuously feed the wires and to feed bristles therebetween while twisting and severing the finished brush at This is accomplished by initial delivery to the machine of a pair of wires that are carried into the path of the ejection end of a bristle feed mechanism which functions to deliver a continuous stream of bristles between the wires. The free or lead ends of the wires are gripped by a reciprocable rotatable chunk structure and pulled in a forward direction while being twisted one about the other. When the chuck structure reaches a predetermined extreme forward position it releases the wires whereupon a second reciprocable rotatable chuck structure grips the wires and continues the twisting while drawing the wires continuously in the same forward direction. During this engagement by the second chuck structure, the first named chuck structure is returned to its initial or retracted position for repeat operation.

During such repeat operation the second chuck structure returns to its initial or retracted position for repeat operation. As a result of this combined use of two coordinated rotatable chuck structures the twisting and pulling is continuous. Novel means is provided at the forward or delivery end of the machine for automatically cutting off the finished product into predetermined lengths, all without stopping the feed. The machine also includes novel means to prevent the length of twisted wire, with bristles therein, from whipping and also suitably selectively located switch mechanisms for controlling the synchronous operation of all of the components thereof.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novelly constructed and assembled machine for the purpose recited herein.

Another object is to provide novel means for feeding a mass of bristles between spaced non-parallel wires.

Another object is to provide, in a machine of the character referred to, a pair of novelly constructed chuck structures that function in sequence for imparting continuous twisting to a pair of wires while pulling said wires in a predetermined direction.

Another object is to provide novel means for cutting off predetermined lengths of brush material.

Another object is to provide novel structure for preventing whipping of the finished bristle strand.

Another object is to provide a novel machine which automatically performs a series of operations by the sequential operation of various components thereof.

ice

Another object is to provide novel means for controlling the feed of bristles to the wires at preselected intervals.

The structure by means of which the above noted and other objects and advantages of the invention are attain-ed will be described in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, showing a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the machine.

FIG. 2 is a detail view, taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the bristle and wire feed mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of said mechanism, taken on line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a detail end elevational view of the feed control mechanism, on a reduced scale.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the chuck structures.

FIG. 7 is an end elevational View of the chuck structure shown in FIG. 6, viewed along line 77 of FIG. 1.

FIG, 8 is an enlarged detail view of the chuck jaws of the chuck structure, showing them gripping the wires.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one of the chuck jaws.

FIG. 10 is a face elevational view of the cutter mechanism, taken along line 1010 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a top plane view of the cutter mechanism shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the parts and associated switches.

FIG. 13 is a view showing the bristle feed control mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a detail of a length of twisted wire with bristles therein.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the bristle feed control.

Referring to the exemplary disclosure of the machine embodying the invention, and particularly to FIG. 1, said machine includes an upstanding elongated frame structure 11 on which are mounted the various components thereof. Mounted at the feed end of the machine (left hand end in FIG. 1) a novel hopper apparatus 12 adapted to feed selectively a series of bristles between a pair of wires fed thereto, one from each of the reels 13. The wires are brought together by novel guide mechanism, generally indicated at 14. As the two wires, with bristles supported between them, pass out of the guide mechanism 14 they are grasped by a first rotatable chuck structure 15, which at once starts to rotate at a high speed while it is beingadvanced in a forward direction away from the guide mechanism, pulling the wires with it so as to twist the wires and cause the bristles to become secured between the entwined wires.

The said first chuck structure 15 advances in the aforesaid direction at a given rate of speed until it reaches a predetermined forward position along frame 11. At this time the now entwined Wires are grasped by a second rotatable chuck structure 16 also slidable along frame 11. When this second chuck structure grasps the wires, the first chuck structure stops rotation, releases its grip on the wires and returns at a faster rate of speed to its initial or retracted position closely adjacent to guide mechanism 14. Concurrently, with this return movement of the first chuck mechanism, the second chuck mechanism 16 is carried forwardly, to the right as shown in FIG. 1, while rotating so as to continue to pull and twist the wires without interruption.

As soon as said second chuck structure 16 reaches a predetermined forward position it releases the wires and is returned to its initial or retracted position. This return movement of the second chuck structure 16 coincides with the advance of the first chuck structure 15 from its start to its forward position while twisting the wires as they are pulled out of the guide mechanism 14. It should be evident at this time that during machine operation, the wires are entwined about the bristles at all times and that there never is an interruption in the feeding and twisting of said wires.

The twisted wire core, with its bristles, extends on through the second chuck structure 16 and is fed directly into and through a cutter mechanism 17 arranged at the far right hand end of the machine as viewed in FIG. 1. This cutter mechanism is automatic in its operation and it functions to cut off predetermined lengths of the wire core at selected intervals. As will be explained presently, novel means is provided to cooperate with the twisted wire core and bristles thereon to prevent whiplash of the stretch between the two chuck structures and beyond the second chuck structure.

Referring now to the wire feed and guide mechanism 14, best shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, said mechanism is mounted in an upstanding rectangular frame or housing structure 21, firmly secured on the top of frame 11. It includes suitable guide rollers 22 for guiding an upper wire 13a from its reel 13, downwardly and around a guide or positioning roller 23. It also includes a guide roller 24 for guiding a lower wire 13b from its reel 13 upwardly over a guide or positioning roller 25. The roller 23 is mounted for free rotation adjacent to the lower end of a guide bar 26 that depends from the top wall of housing 21 midway between its ends. The roller 25 is journalled near the upper end of an upstanding bar 27 that is in vertical alignment with the bar 26. Upon reference to FIG. 3, it will be observed that the opposed ends of bars 26, 27 are spaced apart and are inclined forwardly away from one another to provide a tapered gap 28. The wires 13a and 1317 leaving the rollers 23, 25 are not parallel but are inclined one towards the other in both vertical and horizontal directions, as shown.

The bars 26, 27 also constitute a front wall for a bristle feed hopper 29 of apparatus 12, wherein the gap 28 constitutes the only egress opening for the flow of bristles 31 therefrom. The hopper 29 is substantially square in section and is elongated transversely so as to receive the supply of bristles 31 arranged therein in a flat condition extending transversely thereof. A suitable spring pressed pusher plate 32 is provided in the rear end of the hopper so as to urge the mass of bristles toward gap 28 gap 28 at all times. The hopper is substantially stationary but its forward half 29a is articulated so as to be movable through an arc in a vertical plane. To accomplish this motion, the forward half 29a has depending from it a rod 33 which rides on an eccentric 34 driven by a motor 35. During motor operation the forward half of the hopper is reciprocated at high speed vertically so as to locate successive areas of its open front end in register with the mouth of gap 28. This movement is illustrated in dotdash lines in FIG. 3 and it results in the bristles at the front end of the supply mass being scooped or swept into the gap 28. This affords a continuous stream of bristles entering the gap and being fed between the non-parallel wires 13:: and 13b as they pass over the rollers 23, 25 during machine operation.

As noted hereinabove, when Wires 13a and 13b leave the rollers 23, 25 with a layer of bristles therebetween, they are grasped by the first chuck structure 15 which pulls the wires forwardly out of the feed mechanism and simultaneously twists said wires to entwine them about the bristles 31. This first chuck structure 15 is best shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. It comprises an upstanding block or head 36 having a central aperture to receive a sleeve 37 rotatable therein. The sleeve 37 has an axial opening therein of a size to permit the wires and bristles to pass freely therethrough. The head 36 is carried firmly on a table 38 that is longitudinally slidable along frame 11 for movement toward and away from the guide mechanism 14. The table 38 carries on its bottom face a block 4 39 (FIG. 7) that is apertured and internally threaded to receive a driven feed screw 41 therethrough.

The chuck sleeve 37 extends entirely through head 36 and has integrally formed on one side a pulley 42 and a brake drum 43. A belt 44 is trained over the pulley and is driven by a motor 45 supported on the table 38 for movement with it. The brake drum has a brake band 46 therearound which is actuated, to retard rotation of sleeve 37, upon energization of a solenoid 47 The other face of the sleeve 37 carries a pair of like chuck jaws 48. As best shown in FIG. 9, each chuck jaw comprises a weighted end 49 and a finger 51 at its other end. The medial portion is apertured at 52 to receive a stud 53 for securing the chuck jaw pivotally to the face of sleeve 37 adjacent to the perimeter of its axial opening. When the chuck structure is idle, the chuck jaws assume the open position shown in full lines in FIG. 7, being held in such position by springs 54. However, as soon as the chuck structure is rotated at a high speed, upon operation of motor 45, said jaws are thrown, by centrifugal force into the gripping position illustrated in dotted lines in said figure. When in such position (FIG. 8) the chuck fingers 51 embrace the two wires 13a, 13b firmly between them by a sliding parallel clamping action so as to twist the wires together. As will be explained presently, it is while twisting the wires that the table 38 travels from a retracted position close to the feed mechanism 14, forwardly a predetermined distance so as to pull the wires and bristles arranged between them outwardly or forwardly. When the chuck structure 15 has travelled a predetermined distance forwardly, its motor 45 is brought to a stop, the brake 43, 46 is applied, and it is then returned to its initial or start position all as described in greater detail hereinafter.

The second chuck structure 16 is structurally like the first mentioned chuck structure 15 and it will not be described in detail other than to note that it too has pivotally mounted chuck jaws 48 that are adapted to engage and grasp the wires at preselected intervals. Such engagement is effected when the first named chuck structure 15 approaches its forwardmost position. At that time the second chuck structure is located in a retracted position closely adjacent to the extreme forward position of the first chuck structure. It is when the wires are grasped by the chuck jaws 48 of the second chuck structure 16 that the first chuck structure 15 releases the wires and returns to 1ts initial position as aforesaid. The second chuck structure 16 thereupon travels forwardly a predetermined distance while continuing to twist the wires. When it reaches its maximum forward limit its chuck jaws are released, through stoppage of rotation, and at this time the chuck aws of the first chuck structure reengage the Wires for repeat operation while the second chuck structure is returning to its initial retracted position. It will thus be seen that the wires are continuously pulled and twisted thus making for continuous production of a brush element.

In order to provide that short length of the twisted wires bear no bristles so as to enable the chuck jaws to grasp the wires firmly, and for determining the length of the finished brushes, novel flow control means is provided in the feed mechanism 14. The location of these bare areas is predetermined and is coincident to the length of the brushes to be produced. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, there is provided in the feed mechanism frame 21, stop means in the form of a transverse rod 55 loosely mounted at one end 56 and having its other end connected to a solenoid 57. The rod carries an upstanding pin 58 that normally extends through a hole in the bar 27 and has its free end located out of the path of bristles being fed to the feed mechanism. When said solenoid is energized, as it is at predetermined intervals, the pin 58 is thrust upwardly to lie in the path of the bristles so as to stop their feeding.

The operation of the bristle feed control is automatic and its control may be adjusted so as to vary the location of the bare stretches of the strand. As illustrated in FIG. 13, this control mechanism includes a rod 59 that extends lengthwise of the machine frame beneath the path of travel of the first chuck mechanism 15. Said rod 59 has a plurality of stations therealong for selectively positioning a plurality of cam blocks 61 thereon. The carriage of the mechanism mounts on its under side a normally open switch 62 that is electrically connected with solenoid 57 and which is actuated by a finger 63 having a depending portion 64 that successively strikes against and rides up over the cam block 61 to successively close the circuit to the solenoid and cause the pin 58 to be thrust upwardly into the path of the bristle feed and be held there during travel of the portion 64 over the length of the cam block engaged. Upon reutrn movement of the carriage, the depending portion 64 rides free over the cam blocks.

It should be observed at this time that when the pin 58 moves up into blocking position, the flow of bristles is gradually cut off whereas when it moves out of blocking position the feed is restored in full and at once. As a consequence the brush stock will take on an appearance substantially as shown in FIG. 14 where it will be noted that the trailing end of the batch of bristles tapers off gradually, as at 65. The leading end will be abrupt, as shown.

In order to prevent whipping of the length of the brush stock extending between the two chuck structures 15, 16, there is provided novel means to house such brush material. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a rod 66 is supported above the machine frame 11, as by standards 67. This rod has pivoted loosely thereon and depending therefrom a plurality of arms 68 mounting shields 69 each of which comprises one longitudinal half of a cylinder. When in fully depending positions, the shields 69 embrace the brush material, as shown in full lines in FIG. 2. The chuck structures each carry an upright 71 upon the upper end of which is mounted firmly a frame structure 72, preferably of rod stock, that is tapered at its ends. When the chuck structure moves in either direction, the frame structure 72 thereon advances between the respective suspension arms 68 of the shields so as to cam them outwardly laterally as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2. This carries the shields away from the brush material and permits the chuck structures to move longitudinally without encountering the shields.

Whipping of the brush stock forwardly of the second chuck structure 16, that is; between said structure and the cutter mechanism 17, is prevented by providing a telescoped tube, one portion 73 of which is carried by the second chuck structure and the other portion 74 of which is carried firmly on a bracket 75 adjacent to the cutter mechanism 17.

The cutter mechanism 17, best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, is mounted on a base plate 76 slidably adjustable along the machine frame 11. It includes a pair of opposed shearing blades 77 guided for lateral sliding in a lateral guideway 78 mounted firmly on base plate 76. The brush material is projected between the opposed cutting edges 79 of said blades. Normally, the shearing blades are in the withdrawn position shown in FIG. 10. Shearing is effected by moving said shearing blades toward one another.

Movement of the shearing blades 77 is initially rather fast but when their cutting edges 79 reach the wire core of the brush stock, they move slowly and are subjected to tremendous force so as to effect shearing of the wire core. This may best be accomplished by associating with each shearing blade, a vertically reciprocable cam plate 81 that coacts with a roller 82 on the respective shearing blade. A spring 83 normally holds the shearing blades retracted. Air cylinders 84 are connected one to each cam plate. When the air cylinders are both actuated,

as explained hereinafter, the cam plates move upwardly causing the rollers 82 to travel along the sharply inclined surface 85 thereof. When the cam plates approach their upper limit, the rollers 82 are engaged by the substantially vertically disposed inclined surfaces 86 of the respective cam plates to thrust the shearing blades with great force against and through the core of the brush stock.

Owing to the rapid rate of feed of the brush stock to the cutter mechanism 17, it is necessary to prevent distortion and whipping of the stock, that the cutter mechanism be advanced in the direction of feed, during a cutting operation. To this end, the cutter mechanism base plate 76 is moved in the direction of feed by means of a pistoncylinder assembly 87 (FIG. 11) which is actuated each time the air cylinders 84 are actuated to advance the cutter mechanism is the direction of feed. The return of said mechanism can be effected by spring means or by other means.

Actuation of the cutter blade cylinders and the cutter mechanism moving means is initiated upon actuation of novel switch means preferably arranged in a containing split sleeve 88 arranged at the extreme right hand end of the machine as shown in FIG. 1. Now, referring to FIG. 15, the sleeve 88 which receives therein the extended end of the brush stock which is to be cut off, has an opening 89 on one side through which a feeler arm 91 pivoted at 92, extends. The arm includes a counterweight 93 and a flange 94, the latter carrying a pawl 95 disposed to act on a switch 96, when moved in one direction.

In operation, the feeler arm 91 will initially rest against the bare wire stock and as the stock advances said arm 91 will be swung downwardly beneath the mass of bristles moving thereover. When this occures the switch 96 is closed to activate the cylinders. An intermediate switch 97 and a delay action switch 98 are connected to the cylinders to delay the return action of the cylinders until the blades have completed their cutting stroke in the area of the bare wire core closely adjacent to one end of said bare area.

All of the foregoing operations are coordinated so as to cause the continuous production of brush stock and the severance of brushes therefrom of predetermined length.

Referring now to the schematic showing of the carriage controls illustrated in FIG. 12, it will be noted that the chuck structure 15 carries on the under side of its base a cam element 99. It also carries on its top side a forwardly extending arm 101. The other chuck structure 16 carries on the underside of its base a cam element 102 and on its upper side a normally open contact switch 103. A series of contact switches 104, 105, 106, 107,

108, 109, 111, 112 and 113 are mounted on the machine frame for selective adjustment manually longitudinally along said frame. All of these switches and the aforesaid motors and cylinders are connected in an electric supply circuit and they function for their intended purposes in the followin manner At the start of a cycle of machine operation, the structure 15 is positioned at the far left, as shown, to hold switch 104 closed. Also, the structure 16 is located to hold switch 109 closed, as shown. Now, when electric current is supplied to the circuit upon closing of a master switch (not shown) which is connected in parallel with switch 111, a motor 115 is started to advance the structure 15 to the right. At the same time the chuck motor 45 is started so as to spin the chuck. This causes the chuck jaws to grasp the wires and pull them forward while twisting them together. As the structure approaches the limit of its forward-twisting motion, the arm 101 thereon strikes and closes switch 103 on carriage 16. This starts the structure 16 in a forward direction by energizing its drive motor 116 and causes its chuck to rotate by starting the chuck motor 45a thereon. Both carriages will move in unison to the right for a short distance-about one inch-when the first structure then reaches its limit to travel to the right and it strikes and opens switch 106 which opens the circuit to motors 115 and 45 and causes solenoid 47 to be energized to apply the brake to the rotating chuck in carriage 15, stopping same and releasing the brush strand.

Lost momentum carries the structure 15 to the right sufiicient to engage and close switch 107 connected in the circuit to return motor 117 which then carries the structure 15 back to its start position. This reverse travel is faster than the forward travel owing to differential belting connecting the motors 115 and 117 with feed screw 41. When the returning structure 15 reaches and actuates switch 105, the current to motor 117 is cut off and the structure then coasts into contact with contact switch 104 to apply a brake to motor 117, thus stopping all further movement of structure 15 to the left.

During this return of structure 15, the structure 16 has been advancing in a forward direction (to the right). It ultimately reaches and strikes contact switch 111 which then closes to start a repeat cycle of the carriage 15 through operation of its motor 115 and 45. Switch 111 is a dual switch and its actuation cuts off the current to the brake on motor 117 thus releasing same. At this time both structures 15 and 16 are travelling to the right for a short distance, simultaneously, whereupon the structure 16 strikes switch 112 which cuts off current to its drive motor 116 and applies the brake. It then coasts into switch 113. When switch 113 is closed current is applied to the reverse motor 118 which now operates to return the carriage 16 to its start position (to the left) at a faster rate of speed than when it was driven forward.

When the structure 16 returns to its start position, it strikes switch 109 which cuts off current to motor 118 and as it coasts to a stop, the switch 108 is engaged to close the circuit to the brake solenoid controlling the braking of motor 118. At this time, the first structure 15 has repeated its forward cycle previously described and the chuck of the second structure will then repeat its forward cycle.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details of the structure disclosed may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described and shown.

I claim:

1. In an automatic machine for forming a brush, means to deposit bristles between a pair of closely spaced wires, a first rotatable means to grip said wires, means to move said first rotatable means from a retracted position forwardly while it is being rotated to pull said wires and twist them one about the other, a second rotatable means, means to move said second rotatable means While not rotating toward the first rotatable means as the first rotatable means is moving forwardly, means to rotate the second rotatable means and cause it to grip the wires when the second rotatable means reaches its retracted position, means to stop rotation of the first rotatable means and release the wires after the first rotatable means has reached a predetermined forward position, means to return the first rotatable means to its initial retracted position while not rotating, and means to move the second rotatable means forwardly while it is rotating and gripping the wires to twist said wires while it is being moved forwardly.

2. In the automatic machine recited in claim 1, in which each rotatable means includes centrifugally actuated chuck jaws.

3. In an automatic machine for forming a brush, means to deposit bristles between a pair of closely spaced nonparallel wires, a first means to grip said wires, means to move said first means from a retracted position forwardly while gripping the wires, means operable to twist said wires while the first means is moving forwardly, a second means to grip the wires, means to move said second means while in a non-gripping condition toward the first means as the first means is moving forwardly, means to cause the second means to grip the wires when the second means is fully retracted, means to release the first means from gripping the wires after the first means is advanced forwardly a predetermined distance, means for returning the first means to its initial retracted position, and means operable to move the second means forwardly and to twist said wires while they are being pulled forwardly by the second means.

4. In an automatic machine for forming a brush, means supporting an upper and a lower wire in non-parallel positions and adjacent to each other, each wire being continuous and having an exposed end, means for feeding bristles between said wires, first means for engaging the ends of said wires and pulling them from the support means for a predetermined distance, said first means twisting the wires while pulling same, a second means for engaging the twisted wires and pulling them from said support means, said second means twisting the wires while pulling the same, and means for cutting the twisted wires to form a brush.

5. In an automatic machine for forming a brush, means for supporting an upper and a lower wire, in non-parallel positions and adjacent to each other, each wire being continuous and having an exposed end, means for feeding bristles between said wires, a plurality of successively operable means for drawing the wires from the supporting means and for continuously twisting the wires to lock the bristles between them, and means for cutting the twisted wires to form a brush.

6. In an automatic machine recited in claim 5, in which the means for drawing and twisting the wires comprises a pair of reciprocably mounted rotatable chucks.

7. In the automatic machine recited in claim 6, in which. the chucks are alternately operated.

8. In an automatic machine for forming a brush, means to deposit bristles between a pair of wires arranged in non-parallel position, first and second means operable in timed sequence to successively grasp said wires and pull them in a forward direction While twisting said wires one about the other continuously.

9. In the automatic machine recited in claim 8, in which the first and second means comprise reciprocable chucks.

10. In the automatic machine recited in claim 8, in which the first and second means are movable toward and away from one another.

11. In an electrically operated machine for making a brush, means feeding a pair of wires to said machine, means feeding bristles between said wires, a first means operable to twist said wires, a second means operable to twist said wires, both of said first and second means being movable from retracted to forward positions to pull the wires from the feed means, separate electrically driven drive means for said first and second means, said drive means including a switch engageable by the said second means for causing the first means to slide in a forward direction while rotating, switch means actuable to move the second means in a retracted direction, switch means carried by the said second means actuable when the said first means reaches a predetermined forward position to start forward movement and rotation of the second means, switch means to stop forward movement of the first means and to stop rotation thereof, switch means operable to impart return movement to and stop rotation of the first means, and switch means operable when the second means reaches a predetermined forward position to stop its rotation and to return it to its initial retracted position.

12. In an automatic machine for forming a brush including suport means for two wires closely spaced apart,

' disposed closely adjacent to one another to define a gap in alignment with the space between said wires, a vertically reciprocable generally horizontal hopper for said bristles, said hopper having an open end disposed closely adjacent to said guide bars, means to urge the bristles toward said guide bars, and means to reciprocate said hopper so as to cause bristles to be swept from the open hopper end into the gap and between said wires.

13. In an automatic machine for forming a brush including means to support two wires in non-parallel relation, means to feed bristles between said wires, said means comprising a vertically reciprocable hopper for said bristles, means adjacent to said support means for sweeping bristles from said hopper during hopper reciprocation, and means in the hopper to urge the bristles toward said sweeper means.

14. In a machine for forming a brush, means to feed bristles between a pair of wires, said means comprising a generally horizontally disposed hopper for the bristles, said hopper being open at one end, means to reciprocate 10 the open end of said hopper vertically, and means associated with said open end to sweep bristles therefrom and deliver them between said wires.

15. In the machine recited in claim 14, in which the sweeper means comprises a pair of guide bars defining a gap into which said bristles are swept.

16. In a machine for forming a brush, means to feed bristles between a pair of wires, said means comprising a hopper for said bristles having a delivery end, means to reciprocate at least the delivery end of said hopper, and stationary means associated with the delivery end of said hopper to sweep bristles therefrom and convey them between said wires.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 481,444 8/ 1892 Vermeulen 83320 X 789,776 5/1905 White 83-32O 1,933,731 11/1933 Hanna 83627 X GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, JR., Primary Examiner. 

1. IN AN AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR FORMING A BRUSH, MEANS TO DEPOSIT BRISTLES BETWEEN A PAIR OF CLOSELY SPACED WIRES, A FIRST ROTATABLE MEANS TO GRIP SAID WIRES, MEANS TO MOVE SAID FIRST ROTATABLE MEANS FROM A RETRACTED POSITION FORWARDLY WHILE IT IS BEING ROTATED TO PULL SAID WIRES AND TWIST THEM ONE ABOUT THE OTHER, A SECOND ROTATABLE MEANS, MEANS TO MOVE SAID SECOND ROTATABLE MEANS WHILE NOT ROTATING TOWARD THE FIRST ROTATABLE MEANS AS THE FIRST ROTATABLE MENS IS MOVING FORWARDLY, MEANS TO ROTATE THE SECOND ROTATABLE MEANS AND CAUSE IT TO GRIP THE WIRES WHEN THE SECOND ROTATABLE MEANS REACHES ITS RETRACTED POSITION, MEANS TO STOP ROTATION OF THE FIRST ROTATABLE MEANS AND RELEASE THE WIRES AFTER THE FIRST ROTATABLE MEANS HAS REACHED A PREDETERMINED FORWARD POSITION, MEANS TO RETURN THE FIRST ROTATABLE MEANS TO ITS INITIAL RETRACTED POSITION WHILE NOT ROTATING, AND MEANS TO MOVE THE SECOND ROTATABLE MEANS FORWARDLY WHILE IT IS ROTATING AND GRIPPING THE WIRES TO TWIST SAID WIRES WHILE IT IS BEING MOVED FORWARDLY. 